Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a measure of systemic inflammation in psoriasis

Objective: Psoriasis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (N/L ratio) has been used as a marker for systemic inflammatory status. In our study, we aimed to evaluate N/L ratio in patients with psoriasis. Methods: This cross-sectional study population consisted of 138 patients with psoriasis and 120 age-and sex-matched control subjects. Results: The patients had significantly higher neutrophil counts and lower lymphocyte counts than the controls. The N/L ratios and high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were also significantly higher in patients. The N/L ratios and hs-CRP levels were increasing with increasing in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score. Furthermore, the N/L ratios and hs-CRP levels of patients were found to be positively correlated. Conclusions: Our data show that the N/L ratio to be a simple, inexpensive and easily assessable marker of systemic inflammation in patients with psoriasis.